Cross country runners such as Christen seem to fit a particular mold. There's the competitive drive laced with a goofy, fun spirit needed to make running long miles enjoyable. They always have some of the best grades in the school. Christen, a junior, checks in with a 3.95 grade-point average and a heavy load of advanced-placement classes.

The Cougars qualified for state for the third time in school history last year. Of the seven runners who went to state, only one graduated. Freshman Mackenzie Claeys more than makes up for the loss as she's run well in the early going.

Christen made it to state in both cross country and track and field, but the team aspect from the fall is what stands out in her mind.

"The state experience last year was one of the best days of my life because it was so awesome we all did it together," she said.

Christen was 15th at state individually and the team finished 13th.

In the spring, she set school records in the 800 (2:14.88), 1,600 (5:04.38) and 3,200 (10:57.77) and medaled in two events at the state meet (third in the 800, fifth in the 3,200).

Christen said her inspiration and talent for running comes from her father Glen, a marathon-running obstetrician/gynecologist in Silverdale. He would take his kids with him when he trained at the track. Her mom, Marsha, got into triathlons later in life.

Christen was the only one of the three children to get into running. Her competitive personality, she said, is the reason.

When she started competing in track in seventh grade, she was surprised to find out how well she did.

"I just found out I was good at it and I just latched on," she said.

That brings us to this season, which comes with high expectations.

Ward knows how to groom runners for top finishes at state. He helped Shane Moskowitz to a state title in 2009. He's adept at holding runners back during the regular season so they're at their best in the postseason.

"Just making sure her legs are springy and good when it's important," Ward said.

So how high can Christen finish at state?

"This year, maybe top seven," Christen said.

Seven seems like a strange number. Usually people say top 10 or top five.